Nipple shield



Dec. 12, 1944. 'M.. J. MEYNIER, 4R 2,36.4,66

NIPPLE SHIELD Filed July 2, 1941 M J MEYN/ER Jr.

INVENTOR,

. BY $64M Patented Dec. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE P E D Maurice Meynier, ;Ir., Houston, Tex. Application July 2, 1941, Serial No. 460,738

8 Claims. (01. 128-150) This invention relates to a nipple shield which is adapted to be applied tothe breast of .the mother when nursing an infant.

The primary object of the invention is toprovide a'shield which is simple and inexpensive and which will effectively accomplish the necessary functions of a shield of thistype. x i

Another object is to provide a shield which is so constructed that:the nipple portion thereof is of substantially the same size as the natural nipple. z

Still another objectis to provide ashield which minimizes the'amount of air entrapped therein or admitted thereto. 2

A further object istopzovide a shield having internal annular ridges which are; engageable with the breast to. produce an effective. seal against the leakage of air to the interior of: the

shield.

Another object is to provide a shield having thickened-walls at the juncture of the nipple and V movement of nursing fluid toward the nipple.

which forms a continuation of the nipple receiving portion.

The foregoing objects together with other objects will be more fully apparent from a consideration of the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view through a nipple shield embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 in Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the relative positions of the respective portions of the shield and the mothers breast with which the shield is used.

In the drawing the shield, generally referred to as l, is of a nonporous flexible material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber and the like, and comprises a flared or enlarged portion 2 which fits closely by suction upon the mother's breast of which the outline is shown at 3.

At 4 is a nipple receiving portion which ls 1ntegral centrally with the portion 2 and which is of substantially the. same size internally as the natural nipple which is shown at 5. The nipple receiving portion 4 terminates at its outer ends by thickened walls Gwhich overlie at 1 an annu lar portion of the natural nipple, and which terminates in a thin walled nipple. portion 8 which, it is to benoted, is of substantially :thesame size or smaller than the naturalnipple. The nipple 8 is provided with one or more openings 9 at its outer end for the passage of fluid therefrom. I The featureof constructionjustdescribed prov vides a nipple ofv small volume sol-that only asmall amount of air is entrapped therein and is of ad:- vantage because each time thenaction of thede vise is initiated the child must firstdraw the air. from the nipple 8. At the same time the. thick-: ened portion 6 serves as a substantial base fora protection of the natural nipple, prevents collapse of the nipple 8 due to .suction vornegative pressure by the child and avoids pinching'of the natural nipple 5. This thickened areaalso serves to support the nipple 8 andalso to restrain the natural nipple from elongatiomand resultant chewing thereof by the nursing infant. .i,

In order to further minimize the, amountof air ingested by the nursing infant, the flared pore tion 2 is provided internally with av plurality of narrow concentric ridges or rings II] which produce intervening grooves H. The mother's breast intimately engages the surfaces of such ridges and grooves and consequently an efficient discontinuous ridges engage the natural nipple and provide passages therebetween for the moveple receiving portion and to the nipple 8. By

means of this feature of construction an absolute seal of the device about the natural teat or nipple is prevented so that all nursing fluids entering the nipple receivingportion 4 even from the base of the teat are readily conducted forwardly to and through the nipple 8. v

From the foregoing description. the structure and use of one embodiment of the invention is believed apparent. Broadly the invention comg j. nipple receiving portion including a plurality of discontinuous, internal ridges to engage the natural nipple and to provide an area to conduct fluids toward the apex thereof, and a nipple integral with said nipple receiving portion at its apex.

2. A nipple shield of; nonporous flexible material comprising a flared portionadapted to fit upon and adhere to the natural breast by suction, a nipple receiving portion comprising a central continuation of the flared portion and adapted to receive the natural nipple therein, said nipple receiving portion including a plurality oi discontinuous, internal ridges to engage the natural nipple to prevent a seal and to provide an area to conduct fluids toward the pex, thereof,

and a nipple integral with said nipple receiving portion at its apex, said nipple havingth-in outer-' an area to conductfluids: toward the apex there: at, and a nipple integral with said nipple receiv ing-por-tion at its-apex, said nipple having thin outermost walls; and thickened walls at the juncture with the nipple receiving portion.

4;. A nipple shield o l-nonporous flexible materialcomprisinga flared portion adapted to fi-tupon and 'a d here'to thenatural breast bysuction, a nipple receiving portion comprising a central continuation or: the flared portion and adapted to re ceive the natural nipple therein, saidnipple receivingportion including a plurality of discontinuous, internal ridges adapted to engage the natural nipple toprevent a seal and to provide an area to conduct fluids toward the apex thereof, and a nipple integral with said nipple receiving portion at its apex, said nipple having thin outermost walls, and thickened walls at the juncture withthe nipple receiving portion, said nipple of fluid into said nipple.

6.. A nipple, shield having a body, a nipple thereon of a minimum size which simulates the size of the 'normal' teat, and a neck comprising a thickened wall area joining such nipple to the body so as to protect the teat by preventing collapse'of the nipple adjacent. the. endof the teat.

7. A nipple shield having a body, a. nipple there: on of a minimumsizejwhich simulates the size of the normal; teat,- a'neck, comprising a. thickened wall area joining such; nipple the. body so, as to protect the teat by preventing collapse oi: the

nipple adjacent the; end of the teat, and. inter:

rupted ridge means on-the internal surface out said bodyabout the teat. area topreventsealing: of" the body withthe teat, and permitting the flow olfi fluid from about the teat into the nipple. w

8; Anipple shield having-'azbcdy, anippl'e there- I 

